Two generations of military wives compete for time

Chapter 217: Uncovering Li Dazhuang’s Gambling Gang

Through a surprise inspection of He Guangquan, the Pingzhou County Public Security Bureau concentrated police forces, deployed comprehensive control, and conducted a high-density investigation of gambling dens and personnel in Pingzhou County.

In the middle of a full moon night, the gambling gang was rounded up and arrested, with more than 40 members of Li Dazhuang's gambling gang and more than 50 gamblers arrested. More than ten gambling dens were destroyed.

Li Dazhuang and his four subordinates, Li Ershun, Sun Erhu, Li Dacheng and Zhang Fengshou, were all arrested.

As the profits of the brick and tile factory and the transport team declined year by year, they were already losing money and facing bankruptcy, so Li Dazhuang started to have a crooked idea. He used the brick and tile factory as a cover and set up an underground casino for the purpose of profit, luring the surrounding villagers to participate in gambling.

Because it was well organized, it lasted for more than two years. It was not until the domestic violence, gambling, and finger amputation incidents of He Guangquan that the true face of "small gambling for pleasure" was uncovered.

Li Dazhuang's gambling gang violated Article 303 of the Criminal Law of the People's Republic of China: Anyone who gathers people to gamble or makes gambling his profession for the purpose of profit shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not more than three years, criminal detention or public surveillance and shall also be fined. Anyone who opens a casino shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not more than three years, criminal detention or public surveillance and shall also be fined. If the circumstances are serious, he shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not less than three years but not more than ten years and shall also be fined.

All assets of Li’s brick factory and transport team were seized.

Since Li Dazhuang was arrested and imprisoned, Li Guangfa, as the village party secretary and director of a brick and tile factory, has been addicted to drinking for many years and has had one-night stands from time to time. Coupled with the anger and loss after failing to be elected as the village party secretary, he became physically weak and fell ill.

Ever since Li Guangfa lost the election for village party secretary, Li Dazhuang's wife Wang Luhua's income from playing cards has dropped sharply, and no one takes the initiative to play cards with her to let her win money.

After Li Dazhuang was arrested and imprisoned, Wang Luhua felt that the fate of Li Guangfa and Li Dazhuang's family was over, so she eloped with a boss in the clothing business.

Li Dazhong's eldest daughter and second daughter married far away, and his eldest son and youngest son graduated from junior high school and spent their days doing nothing. They are of marriageable age but have not yet married.

Li Dazhuang's youngest daughter is the most promising and was admitted to university. However, she has suffered from gender discrimination from her grandparents, father and mother since she was a child. She is extremely dissatisfied with her original family and is determined never to return to her parents' home.

Li Dazhuang's mother knew that the Li family was doomed, so she spent her days eating vegetarian food, chanting Buddhist scriptures, practicing meditation, and ignoring household affairs.

The chefs and cleaners who had worked for the Li family for more than ten years also resigned and left.

Li Guang was lying on the bed in his own three-story luxurious villa, feeling sick and dreaming of someone bringing him tea, water and food. However, no matter how hard he tried and how much he cried out, no one answered.

Li Guangfa called his three daughters one by one, hoping that they could take turns going back to her parents' home to take care of their sick old father. However, the eldest and second daughters refused to go back on the grounds that they needed to take care of their grandchildren and had no time to do so.

After receiving a call from her father Li Guangfa, the younger daughter Li Sanni hurried back to her parents' home. Seeing her father's miserable appearance, she felt pity and immediately cooked a bowl of egg noodles for her father.

Seeing the dirty and messy luxurious villa, Li Sanni started cleaning without saying a word, taking apart and washing bedding, helping her father change his dirty clothes, and was busy with laundry, cooking, and cleaning.

Li Guangfa said to his youngest daughter with tears in his eyes: "Sannizi, you are the kindest among my three daughters and one son. But I didn't treat you well from childhood to adulthood. I am sorry for you."

"Dad, I'm content with your words. You gave birth to me and raised me. No matter how badly my parents treat me, compared with other girls in the village, I am still happy. At least I can have enough food and clothes, and it doesn't matter to me if I suffer a little bit of bullying from my parents and siblings. Don't worry, if they don't take care of you, I will." Li Sanni said.

"Sannizi, my health is getting worse day by day. I have been to the doctor and taken medicine many times, but it doesn't work. I won't live for many days. I will rely on you in the future. Your brother Li Dazhuang is in prison. After he is released from prison, it will be good enough if he doesn't cause trouble and goes to jail again.

Your mother is devoted to chanting Buddha's name, and ten oxen cannot pull her back. She is over sixty years old, so just let her go.

Your sister-in-law Wang Luhua left her three daughters and two sons and eloped with someone else. When she gets old, she will regret it one day. This is beyond our control. She can go wherever she wants. "Li Guangfa said breathlessly.

Li Sanni picked up the water cup and brought it to Li Guangfa's mouth and said, "Dad, drink some water and talk slowly. Don't be in a hurry."

"Your elder sister and second sister, when your parents were rich, came every day and took whatever they wanted, including food, clothes and daily necessities. Now that your parents are poor and have no money, they don't come anymore. There's nothing I can do about it. I value sons over daughters, and I left all my wealth to my children and grandchildren, which broke my daughters and granddaughters' hearts.

The Li family doesn't need to worry about your three nieces anymore. The eldest and second nieces have married far away. I don't know whether they are doing well or not. That's what Wang Luhua should worry about. The youngest niece is a good student and was admitted to university, but she is full of resentment towards her parents' family and has long forgotten them.

What worries me most now are your two good-for-nothing nephews and my two grandsons, Li Facai and Li Fajia, who are expected to carry on the family line.

I am no longer able to discipline them, so I will leave it to you from now on. Aunt is also a mother, and you have taken the trouble to find wives for our two grandsons to continue the family line. You are the greatest contributor to the Li family, Dad, please help me." Li Guangfa's face, which had been arrogant for decades, was covered with tears.

"Dad, don't worry. Take good care of yourself. There will always be a way out. When you recover, everything will be fine." Li Sanni comforted him.

"Sanni, I know my illness well. I don't have much time left. I'm going to tell you something. You must do exactly what I say. Do you hear me?"

"Dad, I'm listening, go ahead."

"The brick factory has closed down. I have been the village secretary for all these years, but I have never paid the land occupation fee to the village. After I lost the election, the newly appointed village cadres came to my house several times to ask for the money. I said I had no money and that Li Dazhuang had squandered all the money in my family. We must agree on this point." Li Sanni nodded.

"Those trucks parked outside my house are almost broken down and can't be sold for much money. If the village cadres are too pushy, let them use them to pay for the land occupation fee." Li Sanni nodded.

"Sanni, I have three passbooks here. I saved some money for Li Facai and Li Fajia's wedding. Remember, they can only use the money when they get married. These two grandsons of mine are not bad people, but I spoiled them. You have to discipline them more. The Li family depends on you for support." Li Guangfa looked at Li Sanni with pleading eyes.

"Sanni, I have saved some money for your mother's retirement. Remember, you can only use your name to pay for her food and medical treatment. Don't let your mother spend it recklessly.

Over the years, I have been unfaithful to other women and have hurt her. She hates me to the core and is unwilling to serve me. I deserve it and I don't blame her." Li Guangfa said as he handed three passbooks to Li Sanni.